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Governance, Risk and Compliance practice set precedence for the future of Ali Bin Ali Holding

On January 17, 2022 Ali Bin Ali Legal Department announced the launch of its autonomous and reinvigorated Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) unit that will manage risks and ensure compliance of business requirements and government regulations. The evening event, held at W Hotel Doha, was attended by more than 100 ABA executives from across 18 business streams of the conglomerate.

In his maiden speech, ABA Vice President/General Counsel, Mr. Nabil Chamas, pointed to the fundamental significance of the GRC unit within ABA Holding as a support unit that would safeguard the company’s identity, its employees and consumers. Mr. Chamas noted that the world’s risk and compliance landscape is more complex than ever before, hence the need for the ABA Legal Department to introduce new policies and regulations, and modify existing ones so as to protect the company’s interest. “By implementing the GRC component, our company can make better decisions in a risk-aware environment. Our sustainable and yet effective approach towards GRC will help us and our stakeholders set guidelines and comply with requirements both at the national and international level,” Mr. Chamas stated.

It was noted in the meeting that the creation of the GRC unit came at an opportune moment when ABA Holding was rapidly expanding its functions and operations in the Middle East and across the globe. Key topics such as the importance of governance and cybersecurity; data protection; addressing risk and risk environments; and compliance practices were discussed by the notable staff and lawyers of the ABA Legal Department including: Mr. Benjamin Anafi, Ms. Janaina De Queiroz, Ms. Mahassen Al Taki, and Mr. Jean Michel.

The legal department, through Ms. Sarolta Kacso and Ms. Amina El Zein, proposed launching an App – App4Legal – that would help track and manage the entire life cycle of the company’s contracts, litigation, and corporate matters, thereby minimizing the company’s risk posture. The App is set to enhance efficiency in ABA’s workflow where every task can be organized, automated and streamlined.

To conclude the event, a plenary discussion was opened for participants to share their opinions, experiences and how to better implement the GRC program in their daily practices. As a follow-up to the conference, the GRC support unit will conduct trainings to enable employees better understand the GRC and App4Legal.

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Ali Bin Ali Beverages and PepsiCo launch 100% recycled Aquafina plastic bottles

In an exclusive event launch on 27th October 2022, PepsiCo and Ali Bin Ali Beverages, with the support of the Government of the State of Qatar, launched the new Aquafina 100% recycled plastic bottles for the first time in Qatar and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The launch, held at the Ali Bin Ali Beverages production plant in Doha, Qatar, was graced by the attendance of Eng. Youssef Al Emadi representing the Minister of Commerce and Industry, and Eng. Hussain Saad Al Kubaisi representing the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

Special attendance was made by the Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President of Ali Bin Ali Holding, Mr. Nabeel Ali Bin Ali; CEO Africa, Middle East and South Asia at PepsiCo, Mr. Eugene Willemsen; and PepsiCo CEO for the Middle East, Mr. Aamer Sheikh. In addition, other key personnel from PepsiCo and Ali Bin Ali Beverages, as well as other stakeholders from across the region including the media, attended the event.

The launch of the Aquafina 100% recycled bottles came at a momentous time when PepsiCo. and Ali Bin Ali Holding were marking their 60th anniversary of partnership.

In an interview session with the media, Mr. Sheikh pointed that PepsiCo’s vision aims to make the world a place where packaging never becomes a waste. “To achieve its vision, last year, PepsiCo launched pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) a strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how the company creates value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people,” he stated.

The launch is also an important milestone that sees the private sector contribute to Qatar’s Vision 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals of a sustainable and greener planet. In his speech, the General Manager of Ali Bin Ali Beverages, Mr. Marc Karam, pointed that, “Anything we do to protect our environment is a move towards a more sustainable model, thereby contributing to the Qatar 2030 Vision which is all about sustainability, recyclability, living a better life in our footprint, whether its carbon footprint, plastic, and so forth. This is only a small step with big impact; there are so many other things that we can do more in terms of sustainability. But for us as a leading industry, it is important that we contribute to a more sustainable future in our own field. In fact, we reuse, recycle, and we reduce, that’s how we do it.”

At the end of the meeting, guests were invited to a plant tour where they saw the first run of the product, ahead of the in-market launch. The launch is also a key move in addressing one of the challenges affecting humanity today – environmental degradation. Through it, the brand embraces greener means of manufacturing its products thereby acting on climate change.

The new packaging will launch with the 330ml and 500ml Aquafina bottles.

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Ali Bin Ali Holding celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Ali Bin Ali (ABA) Holding once again stepped forward to raise awareness and honor October as the Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The ‘SHOW YOU CARE. BE AWARE’ campaign, which is a part of the Group’s CSR endeavor, was aimed at informing the staff about the disease, its prevention, detection and treatment.

Such initiatives are of great importance as, according to statistics, breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in Qatar, accounting for 31 percent of cancer cases in women. It is also the second leading cause of death in women worldwide.

Encouraging wider involvement in the campaign, Ali Bin Ali Holding joined hands with Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel to host a special Zumba session for the public on October 22. The proceeds from the initiative were donated to Qatar Cancer Society.

The goal of the charity campaign was to help raise awareness of breast cancer and to depict life, fun and energy through Zumbathon. All ABA employees were invited to join the event and their participation was sponsored by Ali Bin Ali Holding.

Organized at the Fitness Center of the hotel, the area was all dressed up in pink to commemorate the occasion. The event received an overwhelming response and was a great success. More than 100 people, including ABA employees, joined the session.

The evening was wrapped-up with an exciting raffle draw where the participants got a chance to win attractive prizes from Sheraton Fitness, Monoprix and Beauty Hive Salon.

 

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Ali Bin Ali Holding’s Administration Department Hosts Annual Team Get-Together

Ali Bin Ali Holding’s Administration Department has built an ongoing tradition over the years to celebrate the year gone by at its annual Team Get-together. The 23rd of December 2021 marked the special day and the administration Team made it an event to remember. The team gathered together for a celebratory lunch, held at their office in Ali Bin Ali Tower.

The get together drew the entire Administration team including Mr. Moataz Ahmed Eid, General Manager Administration and HR, with the only absentees being the team members who were on leave. According to everyone present, the Department staff who were away on leave were roundly missed at the gathering.

The afternoon began with a warm welcome speech delivered by Mr. Moataz. The General Manager made it point to affirm and encourage the team as he placed on record his appreciation for the efforts of the full administration team. Special mention was made about the fact that Ali Bin Ali Holding’s Administration staff excelled at holding fort during tough times and have served the group efficiently during the pandemic.

Even with COVID-19 at its peak, the team continued to support the full spectrum of the Ali Bin Ali group and ensure business continuity. Mr. Moataz rounded off his address by wishing each and every staff member and their families an enjoyable and peaceful holiday season. He did not forget to add a word of encouragement, requesting the team and their families to stay safe. He ended his speech by wishing the Administration Team all the very best for the year 2022.

To add a layer of excitement to the event, organizers had planned several games and interactions, that were enjoyed by all. Team members also received certificates of appreciation and goodie bags. To add to the atmosphere of joy there was a raffle draw with surprise gifts for several lucky staff members. The sessions was concluded with a sumptuous lunch and promise of similar get-togethers in the future.

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Ali Bin Ali & Partners’ Consumer Agencies 1 gather for year-end party

On December 11, 2021 Ali Bin Ali & Partners’ (ABAP) Consumer Agencies (CAG) 1 gathered for a year-end party at the Garden City compound, Doha. The year-end event has been the tradition not only in CAG1, but also for other line of businesses within ABAP.

One of the primary objectives of the gathering was to showcase how the business performed throughout the year and to recognize individual employee contribution, adding to business efficiencies in all the variables that led to overall success.

The event highlighted new strategies to combat the impending challenges in the market with various inputs from the team inspired by a well-known industrialist, Henry Ford – “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” This gave a clear visibility to the team in terms of what the Division’s priorities are and where they want to take it forward.

CAG1 is responsible for some of the leading global products distributed in Qatar, such as Kellogg’s, Pringles, Colgate-Palmolive, etc. Team CAG1 embraced the idea of teamwork and celebrated success to sustain employee engagement activities.

The evening became even more exciting with the announcement of employee performance recognitions. They were categorically split into different levels – Initiative, Consistent and Exceeding Expectations along with the rolling trophies which intend to pass every year to the new achievers.  A few raffle gifts were drawn that spiced up the program.

The night ended with a special word from the ABAP General Manager, Mr. Viji Kurien, followed by a sumptuous meal. Thanking every one present, Mr. Kurien said: “It is the joint effort of the entire CAG1 team that has made 2021 a successful year for the business. We should maintain this focus with consistent performance and move towards a brighter future.”

 

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ABA Group supports Italian National Day 2017 celebrations

Further cementing its longstanding friendship with the Italian Embassy in Qatar, Ali Bin Ali Group stepped forward as one of the main sponsors of the 2017 Italian National Day celebrations in the country.

Hosted by the Ambassador of Italy to Qatar, H.E. Pasquale Salzano, the event was held on May 22 at the Italian-inspired Al Hazm luxury galleria in the heart of Doha. A ceremonial cake was cut to mark the occasion, with Ambassador Salzano highlighting Qatar-Italy bilateral relations.

H.E. Jassim Seif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Minister of Transport and Communications; Ibrahim Fakhroo, Protocol Department director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and H.E. Ali Ibrahim Ahmed, Ambassador of Eritrea to Qatar and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, were among the dignitaries present at the event.

Ali Bin Ali Group has always supported and worked in co-operation with the international community in Qatar and was glad and honoured to be a part of the gathering for the official celebration of Italian National Day. 

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Ali Bin Ali Group Employees Participate in a Generous Blood Drive

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Ali Bin Ali Group, one of the leading conglomerates in Qatar and the region, was proud to have added to their corporate social responsibility initiatives by giving the opportunity for all employees of the Group to participate in a specially organized Blood Donation Day. The drive was held at the ABA head office on 30 March, 2016, from 9 a.m. till 2 p.m.

“We are very happy with the turn out at the event, as we had more donors registered than we expected. If I were to rate this event on a scale of 1 to 5, I would give it a 4.5,” said Mohammed Reza, Staff Nurse at the Blood Donors Center.

The Ali Bin Ali Group was very satisfied with employee participation. The participation was not only from staff of all grades at the head office, but it also drew donors from other ABA divisions. Their whole-hearted engagement symbolized their support for this noble cause.

For some employees, it was their 16th time to donate blood, while for others it was a first. The first timers took the call to contribute to the Group’s corporate social responsibility efforts seriously and to heart. Evidently, employees were ready to register for blood donation before the event even started. As one of the employees offered their thoughts saying, “Donating blood is a humanitarian act and should definitely be encouraged. We should support others in the community.”

Among the donors was Jills Daniel, Senior Division Manager of Health Care Solutions, Ali Bin Ali Medical. He was not only passionate to advocate for blood donation, but he is also an organ donor. He emphasized that donating blood is the least someone can do. “If my family were in need of blood tomorrow, I would thank those who have donated blood today. You never know, your loved ones can be the ones who will need donations.”

Research has shown that every 2 seconds someone is in need of blood. Statistics have also proven that donors can save 3 lives by just donating 1 pint of blood, which amounts to 450 ml. Thus, donors are always in constant demand in Qatar and all around the world.

Ali Bin Ali Group was pleased to have contributed to the critical care of the recipients of the blood donations, such as the patients with cancer, victims of accidents, and patients undergoing surgery in all local hospitals in Qatar.

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Ali Bin Ali’s Finance Community Get Together

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The Ali Bin Ali Finance department community dedicated a full day out of their busy and stressful calendar to get together with their families and colleagues to celebrate their companionship on 11 march, at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Qatar from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m.

More than 500 guests including employees and their families attended the event where a full range of fun activities were organized. The organizers in the finance department had done an excellent job to ensure that all participants were superbly entertained by providing activities for all ages at each corner. Fun and entertainment ranged from dance related contests to an array of sports including volleyball, kabaddi, as well as larger participatory games like Tug-Of-war drew in players of all ages. Special activities for the ladies had also been organized, including games of cricket and treasure hunts. In addition, an illusionist used his masterful skills to keep the children and all adults entertained. Thrilling raffle draws added to the excitement of the day. It was surely a memorable day for the community!

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